The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-28

ceipts will increase at n ratio of q nay
een. curing the current year. ana at ratio OK
o per ceuI uurlng the next, that by the end
o. the latter the departments revenues and az.
penditures will not be wide apart
Inc speciaidellvery system has made consid-
eraoie acvance during the year. the figures indI-
cating an Increase Of probable 21 per cent over
the previous year The recommen iation il
made, In connection with the special-delivery
service that investigation be started al once to
ascertain whether the pneumatic-tube sysser,
now In successful operation in London Berlin e,
farIs, may now hs economically introduced into
tne great cities OF this country for the benefit
not only OF special delivery, but. by an enlarged
system of tubing, for the transmission of all tho
great mails between the posfcffices and the vari-
GUS postal and railroad stations
The total value of all stamped paper issued by
the department during the year was SAC. 6l9. $50,
which Is an increase over the previous year Of
nearly Per cent. The postage collected on
seond-class matter during the year was 81 262.
$40. which represents weight of over 63 900
TONS This IS an increase OF nearly Is per cent
over the previous year
Attention is called to the sub-aeency for the
distribution of postal cards and stamped envel-
opes, established during the year at Chicago
This agency has not only worked we'll but il has
saved 3 very considerable amount to the govern
ment. Recommendation is made for two other
similar agencies at ST Louis and At
ia ian'a; recommendations is made tha,
IN all cases where oaths required
IN the transaction OF postal business
postmasters are authorized to administer them.
Three important recommendations are also
made as to tho manner of collecting postage on
second-class matter, and as to abuses which
spring from defects in the present law. This
nrst OF these IS that the postage on all second
class matter shall be paid BY the attachment OF
adhesive stamps, as is required for all other
mail-mat ter tho denominations running from
one-eiRhth OF cent in the case OF single pieces,
TO any required amount for bulk matter. The
second Is that only legitimate newspapers and
periodicals. be admitted the second class rate Of
postage In other words that certain books,
which 1t 10 claimed are in no sense periodicals,
except that they profess to be issued at regular
periods-such as the numerous series, libraries,
etc, be admitted only at the tnird-class rate.
Inc third - that the mum Der OF sample copies OF
second-class matter TO he sent out BY publishers
be limited Many periodicals. il is stated, which,
under the law, now gain admittance as second
class matter. being enabled by the privilege of
mailing sample copies to defeat the law excud-
ing publications issued for ad advsrtising purposes
or at nominal price OF subscription.
The First Assistants Report
WAsHINGToN, Nov. 27-Ths annual report OF
First Assistant Postmsster-general Stevenson
shows that the numbsr of postofices established
during the last fiscal year was 3043. The in.
crease in the whole number OF postofices WAC
1,543 The whole number Of postofsices in op-
GRAFTON on juno 80. 1887, was 55157. Appoint
ments of pcstmasters were made during the
year as follows On designations and commits
sions expirsd. 6.S63; removals and euspen-
sIons, 1854; on deaths of postmasters, $50:
establishment or now ofhces, 3, ,O43. Vbe largest
increase in the number of Offices in
any OF tho States and Territories
during the year WAS As follows: Pennsylvania,
lis; Georgia 80; Texas. AZ; Virginia, "A. There
was a decrease in the number OF Offices in but
one State-eight in Nevada. There we're seven
States which, on June 80. contained more than
1000 Offices each. as follows: Prnnsvlvania.
4.1I9; New York. 8. .24s Ohio. 2.s34; Virginia,
2,355; Illinois, 1885, Missouri. 2. III; North Car
ohns, 2.1l0. As result of the annual adjust
ment of postmasters' salaries, which took effect
July !, 1887. twenty-five Offices Of
the third class were reduced to tine fourth
class. and two officers OF the fourth class
were assigned to the third class, leaving 2S36
presidential Offices. Divided into classes the
numbers as follows: First 50: second, ass;
third. 1919 The number OF money order
Offices operation was 7,745. Of the whole
lows, $50 in New York, 493 in Ohio. $50 in Penn
sylvInia, 406 in Kansas. 362 in Michigan 343 in
Missouri. and 326 in Indiana The largest in
crease IN any State during the fiscal year was
64, n Kansas
Fifty four thousand, four hundred and fifty
three claims bad been reviewed mp to the end Of
the fiscal year OF this number. q. 573 were al
lowed and 80 $50 were found to be below the 10
per cent. requirement of the law, or for periods
outside the dates limited by the act At tho
present tine 6,57S claims are file
for consideration. The total amoDnt al
lowed additional compensation to
date is $I05O915 Among the principal
contract articles consumed by the postal serv-
ice were about $50 tons of wrappinc-twiBe, over
193. 600 900 facire SLIPS over go coo 900 blanks.
and nearly 1000. 900 letter heads.
The following recommendations are made:
That the deposit of so cents for each postoffice-
box key be reduced to 25 cents; that authority
be granted and the necessary appropriations be
made by Congress for paying the rent of third
class postoffices.